Lady Gaga performs in front of Putin at European Games
By Ben Kelly
Lady Gaga has made a surprise appearance to perform at the Opening Ceremony of the very first European Games, which are taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Gaga appeared during the two hour extravaganza last night to perform an acoustic piano version of John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ on a piano covered with flowers. She received a rapturous reception from the a stadium audience of thousands, which included the Russian President Vladimir Putin, among 35 other heads of state.
[youtube height=”HEIGHT” width=”WIDTH”]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JZMMmESW48[/youtube]
In 2013 Gaga had spoken out against Russia’s gay propaganda laws, and had tweeted standing up for the country’s LGBT population.
The singer was in London earlier this week for her Cheek To Cheek shows with Tony Bennett at the Royal Albert Hall, one of which was cancelled on account of Bennett’s ill health. Gaga also performed a surprise set at Ronnie Scott’s jazz club in Soho after one of the shows.
The European Games continue until 28 June, and will see around 6,000 athletes competing.